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From June 19th to October 2nd the summer events at the Bologna Certosa cemetery are back

The 2012 summer is now here with a new series of evening walks and events at the Bologna Certosa, transformed into a cemetery in 1801, and that over the centuries has become the largest monumental complex in Bologna.The collaboration of various entities of Bologna (the Associations Didasco and Amici della Certosa, Hera Servizi Cimiteriali and Padri Passionisti) and the contribution of the Foundation of the Cassa di Risparmio in Bologna, allowed putting together a very rich programme featuring over 40 events: guided tours, theatre events, film showings, book and DVD launches. Thus art, history, anecdotes and reflections will bring the spotlight back onto the Certosa, that has been reopened after the necessary checks and safety procedures implemented following the recent earthquakes.

The programme, which is included in the bè-bolognaestate calendar (www.bolognaestate.it), is part of the “aBOut Dickens” show, devoted to the celebrations of the bicentenary of the birth of the famous English writer who has influenced whole generations in terms of literature and narrative languages, with his works. As a matter of fact, the Bologna cemetery was the only place he visited during his short stay in town in 1844.

To celebrate the anniversary, there is a special appointment on Thursday, June 28th, with a proper “Dickens day”: at 6 p.m., at the Fondazione CaRisBo, via Farini 15, the book “Dickens a Bologna e una visita memorabile alla Certosa” by Roberto Martorelli, Valeria Roncuzzi and Gino Scatasta will be presented. At 9 p.m. the event will continue with a theme visit, directly at the Certosa (see here).

From June 19th until October 2nd, so all through the summer, the Associazione Didasco will organize six different guided tours to discover charming works of art, great loves, power fights, funny and odd anecdotes, in huge halls and galleries, under open galleries and arcades. These tours, full of atmosphere, have become “customary” events for the people of Bologna, besides being highly successful: in the summer 2011 over 1,700 people participated.

On Tuesday July 3rd, the attention will be on the San Girolamo church, a shrine of the Bologna baroque painting, with the presentation of a DVD “Il fascino di San Girolamo della Certosa di Bologna”, the second issue of a trilogy devoted to the period when the monumental site was a convent (1334-1796).

On Wednesdays, September 5th, 19th and 26th three theatre events will take place: two of them are by Daniele Robazza and entitled “Voci del silenzio - la via dei canti”, and one is by Briana Zaki and Benedetta Campo and is entitled “Viaggio di ritorno - un percorso dickensiano”.

Then, on September 12th, an appointment devoted to the many dead, contained in the majestic charnel “Monumento ossario dei Caduti della Grande Guerra”: at the centre of the Cloister, the film “La Grande Guerra” (1959) by Mario Monicelli will be shown, then a visit to the Monument itself will follow.

The programme will end on Tuesday October 2nd with an appointment devoted to the fascination of XIX and XX centuries sculpture. The occasion will be the launch of the book “Lo splendore della forma - la scultura negli spazi della memoria” by Mauro Felicori and Franco Sborgi.

Finally, at the Museo civico del Risorgimento (Piazza Carducci 5) the exhibition “Dalla Certosa al Museo - Restauri e acquisizioni” will continue until July 15th. It is possible to visit the exhibition during the opening hours of the museum (Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.); the guided tours will be held on Sunday June 24th, Sunday July 1st and Sunday July 15th, at 11 a.m.